Clutch mechanism



May 21, 1940.

A. BURNETT 2,201,715

CLUTCH MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 1wentor 7 6 25M (Ittomeg y 1940- A. BURNETT CLUTCH MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 24, '19s" 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 inventor C(ttorneg Original Filed Aug. 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jnvcntor IJHIT &

(I ttorneg May 21, 1940. A. BURNETT CLUTCH MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 24, 193 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I m. 7 N

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3nncntor (Ittor neg May 21, 1940. 1 BURNETT 2,201,715

CLUTCH MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 24, 19s; 5 Sheets-Sheet s inventor Gttomeg Patented May 21, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLUTCH MECHANISM Original application August 24, 1937, Serial No. 160,719. Divided and this application May 3, 1939, Serial No. 271,562

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved clutch especially adapted for driving machines such as, for example, measuring and filling machines. This application is a division of Patent No.

2,176,121 which issued October 17, 1939.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved clutch mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved clutch mechanism having automatic throw-out means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved clutch means for driving machines such as, for example, measuring and filling machines.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims which follow.

Attention is directed to the drawings in which like characters of reference are used to designate similar elements.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a measuring and filling device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top view, partly in section, taken substantially on line 2-.2 of Figure 3, the turret and conveying means being in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a side view, partly in section, taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2, parts be- 3 ing omitted.

Figure 4 is a side view, partly in section, taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed view, partly in section, of the turret mechanism.

ure 5.

Figure '7 is an enlarged View, in perspective, illustrating the clutch mechanism. In this figure the main clutch plate is shown removed from the other clutch elements.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detailed view, partly in section, of the clutch assembly,

Figure 9 is a side view of the main clutch plate and drive sprocket.

The device of the present invention is mounted upon suitable framework comprising standards 2, 3, 4 and 5, cross members 6 and 1, end membars 8 and 9, and top In.

Turret H is provided with carton receiving pockets l2 and is rigidly secured to tubular shaft l3, the shaft l3 being rotatably mounted in collar bearing I5 fixedly secured at opening l4 in top [0.

Drive plate I6 is rotatably secured on shaft l3 for movement relative to ratchet member I] Figure 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Figrigidly secured to shaft l3. Drive plate I6 is provided with pawl I8 held in constant engagement with ratchet H by spring l9. Plate I6 is oscillated on shaft I3 by reciprocating rod 20 and, in turn, serves to intermittently rotate turret 5 ll through the medium of ratchet I! and pawl l8. Rod 20 is pivoted at one end, as at 2|, to plate [6 and at its O posite end, is slidably mounted on shaft 22 through slot 23.

Shaft 22 is journaled in bearings 24 and 25 rigidly secured to cross members 6 and 1. Cam 2% is pinioned, or otherwise secured, to'shaft 22. Rod 25 is held adjacent cam 26 by collar 21 rigidly secured to shaft 22. Rod 20, at either side of slot 23, is provided with roller bearings 28 and is reciprocally operated by rotation of cam 26 against the bearings 28.

Shaft 22 is continuously driven from shaft 29 through the medium of chain 30 and sprockets 3| and 32. Shaft 29 is journaled in suitable bearings 33 rigidly secured, as by brackets 34, to the under surface of top Ill, and is continuously driven by power transmitted from motor 35 through the medium of gear box 36, chain 31 and sprockets 38 and 39. 5

As shown in Figure 1, empty cartons 40 are fed one after the other 'on endless conveying belt 4| and into pockets l2 of turret II. At each movement of turret H, the carton last fed from conveying belt 4| is moved into filling position below discharge end 43 of nozzle 44 and simultaneously the carton last filled is moved to a position from nozzle 44 onto discharge conveyor 45 whence it is carried from the machine.

Conveying belt 4| is continuously driven on pulley 46 and conveyor belt 45 is continuously driven on pulley 47. Each of the pulleys 46 and 47 is rigidly secured to shaft 29.

Guide rails 50 and 51 are secured adjacent either side of the path defined by conveyors M and 45 and turret II for securing the cartons within their proper limits during travel through the machine.

As shown in Figure 4, discharge nozzle 44 is reciprocally mounted for movement relative to 45 the pockets of turret H. The movements of nozzle 44 are efiected in synchronism with the movements of turret II so that following movement of each carton into filling position, the nozzle is lowered relative to the carton before discharge of the material into the carton. The lowering of the nozzle minimizes the drop of the discharged material and thus prevents spattering o t ma ri l- .Af r fil ngp the arter. 55

the nozzle is raised relative to the carton prior to the next movement of the turret.

Nozzle 44 is threaded, as at 52, t0 rod 53 slidably mounted in tubular shaft I3. Rod 53 is reciprocated through the medium of bell crank lever 54 connected through the medium of rod 55 with drive shaft 56. Lever 54 is pivoted, as at 51, on bracket 58 rigidly secured to end member 9. Rod 55 is pivoted at one end, as at 59, to lever 54 and at its other end is mounted through slot 60 for slidable movement on shaft 56. Rod 55, at either end of slot 60, is provided with bearing members 6I. Cam 62 rotates with shaft 56 and serves to reciprocate rod 55 through engagement with bearing members 6|. Rod 55 is held adjacent cam 62 by collar 63 pinioned on shaft 56.

Shaft 56 is journaled in bearing 64 rigidly secured to frame member 6 and sleeve bearing 65 rigidly secured to frame member 'I and is adapted for continuous rotation. Power is transmitted to shaft 56 from motor 35 through the medium of gear box 36, chain 66, sprockets 61 and 68 and clutch element 69. -The operation of clutch element 69 will be hereinafter more fully described.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the material delivered through supply line I0, which extends from a source of supply not shown, is measured in predetermined amounts in measuring device II The measured material is forced from measuring device II through flexible line I2 and nozzle 44 in synchronism with the movement of the cartons in turret I I.

Measuring device (I comprises cylinders I3 and I4 respectively provided with pistons I5 and 16 mounted for relatively opposite movements. Piston I5 is rigidly secured to connecting rod TI mounted through opening I8 of cylinder 13. Connecting rod I1 is pivotally connected, as at I9, to drive rod 80, mounted as through slot 3| for slidable movement on shaft 56. Reciprocal movement is imparted to rod and thus to rod 17 and piston 15 through rotation of cam 82 in engagement with bearing members 83.

Piston I6 is secured to connecting rod 83 mounted through opening 84 in cylinder I4. Rod 83 is pivotally connected, as at 85, to drive rod 86 mounted, as through slot 81, for slidable movement on shaft 56. Reciprocal movement is imparted to rod 86 and thus to rod 83 and piston 16 through rotation of cam 88 in engagement with bearings 89. It will be noted that cams 82 and 88 are mounted on shaft 56 so as to provide a relatively opposite movement of the pistons I5 and I6. It will be noted also that when one of the pistons I5 and I6 is being moved in a direction to measure a supply of material the other of the pistons is being moved in a direction to discharge a previously measured supply of material,

It will be seen further that through proper spacing of bearings 83 and 89 relative to their respective cams 82 and 88 pistons I5 and I6 .will momentarily remain idle at each of their extreme movements. This idleness is timed to permit one complete movement of the turret between each discharge of the materiaL Material from supply line I0 is directed to cylinder I3 through lines 90 and SI, the line 9| being provided with shutoff valve 92 operable through rod 93 by movement of connecting rod TI. Material from line I0 is directed to cylinder I4 through lines 94 and 95, the line 95 being provided with shutoff valve 96 operable through rod 91 by movement of connecting rod 83.

The'material forced from cylinder I3 is directed through line 98, header 99, flexible tubing 12 and nozzle 44. Line 98 is provided with check valve I00, preferably of the suction type. Material forced from cylinder I4 is directed through line IOI, header 99, flexible tubing I2 and nozzle 44. Line IOI, like line 98, is provided with a check valve I02, also of the suction type.

Check valves I00 and I02 are operated through suction caused by intake movement of their respective pistons and thus serve to close their respective lines in the direction from the nozzle to the piston. The suction exerted in closing each of the valves, however, is reflected throughout the discharge line and thus at the discharge end 43 of nozzle 44, by which dripping of material from nozzle 44, between filling of the cartons, is prevented.

As shown in Figure 2 and more in detail in Figures '7, 8 and 9, clutch assembly 69 comprises driven wheel I03 and clutch disk I04. Driven wheel I03 is rigidly secured, as by pin I06, to shaft 56 and is mounted adjacent sleeve bearing 65. Driven wheel I03 is axially flanged as at I07 to provide shoulder I08 and at its peripheral edge is provided with cam surface I09 thus providing shoulder IIO. As seen in Figure 8, flange I0'I rotates relative to the outer periphery of sleeve 65.

SprocketGB is rigidly secured, as by bolts III, to clutch disk I04. Sprocket 68 and clutch disk I06 are secured on shaft 56 as by collar H2 and pin I I3 and are free to rotate on shaft 56 except when in driving engagement with driven Wheel I03. As seen in Figures 8 and 9, clutch disk I04 is axially flanged, as at II4, to provide cam surface II5. Flange H4 is adapted for rotation relative to the outer periphery of driven wheel I03.

In operation, clutch disk I04 is normally maintained in driving engagement with driven wheel I03 by pawl II6 normally pivotally urged by the action of spring II'I against shoulder III] of driven wheel I03. In the event, however, a carton fails to feed to a pocket of the turret, it is desired to prevent discharge of material from the nozzle when and as the empty pocket is moved relative to the nozzle. This is accomplished by momentarily releasing pawl II6 from against shoulder III) of driven wheel I03 whereby clutch disk I04 and sprocket 68 will be free to rotate one complete revolution without driving the shaft 56.-

The mechanism for releasing pawl IIS comprises guard member I I8 and clutch throwout member II9.

As shown in Figure 2, guard member II 8 is formed integral with rod I20, bent as at I2I, to

provide rod I22. Rod I22 is slidably mounted for longitudinal movement in bracket I23 rigidly se-- cured to frame member 6 and bracket I24 rigidly secured to frame member I. Rod I22 is bent, as at I25, to provide rod I26. The free end I21 of rod I26 presses against face I28 of clutch member I I9 and serves to urge clutch member H9 in a direction toward clutch disk I04 when guard member I I8 is moved into an empty pocket of the turret.

Guard member H8 is normally urged against the periphery of turret I I and thus for movement within an empty pocket of turret II by pressure of coiled spring I29 secured on rod I22 against bracket I23. The tension of spring I29 may be regulated by collar I30 rigidly secured on rod I22,

It will be seen that clutch member H9 is adapted for longitudinal movement on sleeve 65 within the limits defined by slot I3I and pin I32. The movement of clutch member II9 toward clutch disk I04, as by the action of rod I26 and spring I29, may be augmented by the action of spring I33 and arm 534i pivotallysecured to rigid bracket I35. The free end I36 of arm I34 is maintained in constant contact with face I23 of clutch member H3 at apoint relatively opposite to the point of contact of free end I2! of rod I26. The tension of spring I33 should be of itself insufficient to urge clutch member H9 in the direction toward clutch disk I34. Spring I33 is, in fact, a balance spring, the tension of which, when combined with the tension of spring I29 when that spring is brought into play, will serve to quickly move clutch member H9 in equilibrium in the direction toward clutch disk IM.

As shown in Figures 2 and '7, clutch member III is axially flanged as at I3! to provide axial cam surface I39 and shoulder I38. A radial cam surface MI is also provided on the periph-- eral surface of axial flange I31. In the operation of the device hereinafter described, it will be seen that when clutch member I I9 is pressed to its forwardmost position toward clutch disk IlI I, radial cam Mt is made to contact with knob MI of pawl III; whereby pawl II 6 is disengaged from shoulder Hill of driven wheel I03, and thus the clutch disk I36 and sprocket 68 made free to, rotate on drive shaft 56. It will also be seen that after one revolution of sprocket 38 on driven shaft fill, axial cam I 39 will be made to contact axial cam II I whereby clutch member I It will be thrown to its retracted position away from clutch disk I64.

In operation, pawl H6 is normally urged by spring II'I against shoulder III] of driven wheel I63 thus completing the connection between drive sprocket $8 and shaft 56 by which to rotate the several cams 62, 82 and 88.

In the event a carton fails to feed to a pocket of turret II, guard member H3, through action of spring I 29, will move within the empty pocket and through rods I28, I22 and I26 will press clutch member I I e in the direction toward driven wheel I63 and clutch disk IIM. Driven wheel Hi3 will continue to rotate until shoulder I08 of the driven wheel I83 is mated with shoulder I38 of clutch member I!!! whence clutch member H9 will be free to move to its forwardmost position toward clutch disk IM. When clutch member H9 is moved to its forwardmost position, knob I'll of pawl III; will ride against radial cam Mil of clutch member H9 and thus raise pawl III out of engaging position with wheel I03.

When the pawl IIS is released from engaging position with wheel I63, clutch disk I 04 and sprocket 68 are made free to rotate one complete revolution on shaft 56 whence the rotation of the several cams 62, 82 and 88 and the functions of their respective elements. particularly the discharge of material from the nozzle 44, are prevented for one complete movement.

In the meantime, the shafts 22 and 29 being continuous, the turret II will be rotated in due order and the carton fed to the next succeeding pocket of the turret will be moved into filling position relative to the nozzle 44. The next movement of the turret will return guard member H8 against the outer periphery of the turret and thereby release the pressure of spring I29 against clutch member II9.

Also axial cam H4 will strike against axial cam I39 and thus throw clutch member III] to its retracted position away from clutch disk I04, whence pawl IE5 will be free to reengage shoulder Ht of wheel I03 and again complete the connection between clutch disk I04 and wheel It will be seen that the several features ex amplified in the present invention are made to operate in synchronism with one another and that in the event a carton fails to feed to a pocket of the turret I I, operation of the material discharge mechanism and the nozzle operating mechanism are discontinued one complete movement without interruption to the opera-tion of the turret and carton feeding mechanism.

It will be understood that changes may be made in the structure of the apparatus shown in the drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention as described in the claims Whch follow.

I claim:

1. A clutch mechanism comprising a shaft, a wheel rigidly afiixed on the shaft, the wheel having a radial cam surface providing a peripheral shoulder and an axial cam surface providing an axial shoulder, a drive disk rotatably mounted on the shaft, the disk beingprovided with an axial cam surface and a spring-tensioned pivoted pawl detachably engageable with the peripheral shoulder of the wheel, a member slidably mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement toward and from the wheel, the member being provided with a radial cam surface and with an axial cam surface providing an axial shoulder, the axial shoulder of the member upon movement of the member toward the wheel being adapted to mesh with the axial shoulder of the wheel for timed movement of the radial cam surface of the member against the pivoted pawl to disengage the pivoted pawl from the peripheral shoulder of the wheel and to prevent rotation of the wheel and shaft for one complete revolution of the disk, the axial cam surface of the disk being operable to engage the axial cam surface of the member following disengagement of the pawl from the shoulder of the wheel to return the member in the direction away from the wheel and means operable tomove the member toward the wheel.

2. A clutch mechanism comprising a shaft having a wheel rigidly affixed thereon, the wheel having a radial cam surface providing a peripheral shoulder, a drive disk freely rotatable on the shaft, the disk being provided with an axial cam surface and a spring tensioned pawl detachably engageable with the peripheral shoulder of the Wheel, a rotatably fixed member slidably mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement toward and from the wheel, means adapted to move the member toward the wheel, the member being provided with a radial cam surface and with an axial cam surface, the radial cam surface of the member being operable upon movement of the member toward the wheel to disengage the pawl from the peripheral shoulder of the wheel, and the axial cam surface of the disk being operable to engage the axial cam surface of the member following disengagement of the pawl from the peripheral shoulder of the wheel to return the member in the direction away from the wheel, whereby driven rotation of the wheel and the shaft is prevented for one revolution.

3. A clutch mechanism comprising a shaft having a wheel rigidly affixed thereon, the wheel having a radial cam surface providing a peripheral shoulder and an axial cam surface providing an axial shoulder, a drive disk freely rotatable on the shaft adjacent the wheel, the disk being provided with an axial cam surface and a spring tensioned pawl detachably engageable with the peripheral shoulder of the wheel, a bearing mounting the shaft, a rotatably fixed member slidably mounted on the bearing for longitudinal movement toward and from the wheel, means adapted to move the bearing toward the wheel, the member being provided with a radial cam surface and with an axial cam surface providing an axial shoulder, the axial shoulder of the member upon movement of the member toward the wheel being adapted to mesh with the axial shoulder of the wheel for timed movement of the radial cam surface of the member against the pawl to disengage the pawl from the peripheral shoulder of the wheel and the axial cam surface of the disk being operable to engage the axial cam surface of the member following disengagement of the pawl from the shoulder of the wheel to return the member in the direction away from the wheel whereby driven rotation of the wheel and the shaft is prevented for one 10 revolution.

ALEXANDER BURNETT. 

